US Air Force,
SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles strafed a possible enemy firing position in Oruzgan with cannon rounds. The aircrews provided a show of force and one of the aircraft dropped a guided bomb unit-12 on positions in the area as well.
Other F-15Es dropped GBU-12s on enemies and a possible weapons cache in a tree line in Sangin. The aircrews also hit a bunker with GBU-38s. The weapons employment was successful. Then, the F-15Es attacked enemies in a tree line near Gereshk with cannon rounds.
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A pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons sit on the flightline as the sun sets at Balad Air Base, Iraq. F-16s fly close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Beth Holliker)
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An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a general purpose 500-pound bomb on an enemy carrying a rocket launcher in Asmar. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported that the bomb hit the target. Another A-10 provided a show of force in Asmar as well.
An Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a successful show of force with flares to ward off enemy attacks in Kajaki Dam.
In total, 45 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Nine Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, A-10s dropped GBU-12s on a truck carrying an anti aircraft weapon near Qarah Tappah. There were secondary explosions after the bomb hit the truck.
Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons used GBU-38s to destroy a building in Baghdad that housed explosives. The pilots also reported possible IEDs in the area.
Also in Baghdad, an F-16 provided a show of force over multiple targeted areas. The pilots also watched over a convoy on a patrol.
Other F-16s used GBU-38s and GBU-12s to destroy a house in Baqubah wired with explosives. The pilots also watched over coalition raids.
In Samarra, Navy F/A-18 Hornets followed a vehicle leaving the scene of a firefight, then passed along the location to the JTAC.
F-16s picked up the vehicle fleeing the scene and followed it to a house. Then, one of the F-16s destroyed the house and vehicle with a GBU-38. The pilots also did IED sweeps and watched over a convoy in the area.
An F/A-18 provided a successful show of force over a suspicious gathering near Al Iskandariyah.
Another F/A-18 conducted a show of force with flares in Al Kut as well.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 69 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.
Sixteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Some 158 airlift sorties were flown, 535 tons of cargo were delivered and 3,595 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 33,700 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq and Korea flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Aug. 25, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 230 receiving aircraft.
